Ultra marathons

Ultra running - essentially running any distance that's longer than a 26.2 mile marathon – has become increasingly popular, both in the UK and worldwide. Marathons are no longer the ultimate long distance race! ​With the right pace and fuel to keep you going, the adrenaline high of running an ultramarathon is good enough to get you addicted. It's amazing what distances your body can go, especially on softer trails away from the road.

FINDING AN ULTRA RUN

All surfaces
Ultras can be run on multiple terrains, including road, trail, cross-country, or even on a track. More info is indicated in each listing.All ultra runs

How far?
Most are between a marathon and 100km, or 24 hours. The two most famous ultra runs are even further - the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (104 miles and 10,000m elevation gain) and the multi-day Marathon des Sables in the Sahara.

Global appeal
From loops of a track through to stunning endurance coastal runs, there’s lots to pick from in the UK – or why not look further afield?UK ultrasEuropeAsia & Far East

Charity ultra runs
Look for either the orange 'Major Event' logo to a charity logo next to the listing - take part, you must raise funds. Get motivated by running for a good cause!Charity ultras

ULTRA RUNNING KIT

Be prepared
Your kit list is more important in ultra runs than any other category of running – it’s not just big distances you’ll be covering but often serious elevation too, as well as big variations in the weather. Many races make certain items mandatory, including waterproof layers, a foil blanket, head torch and mobile phone.

On your feet
Given the duration, spare shoes are often permitted – and if you are running for 12+ hours, your feet can swell by as much as a size-and-a-half so be prepared.Kit for ultra running

Poles apart
Poles can make a big difference to your overall running efficiency, especially going up and down hills and mountains.

TRAINING FOR AN ULTRA RUN

Mix it up
It’s not all about running – spending time on your feet at a lower intensity can be just as important so long distance walking in the hills, with a heavy rucksack, helps build stamina. Bike riding boosts leg strength, as do squats.

Train for ups...
You may well find that it’s more efficient in the long run to walk briskly up steep hills rather than try and run.

The mental challenge
This can be just as vital as the physical test, and you need to learn to fight through the lows. In training how about trying to get different people to run with you at various stages – or have a friend who can follow you round on a bike.

ON THE DAY

Nutrition
It’s imperative you find what works for you well before your event and stick to it. Get used to drinking and eating on the move. We’ll have more advice on this from our friends at Mountain Fuel but for now take a look at the link below.Fuelling for an endurance race

Short-term pain, long-term gain
In ultras, it is possible to take short breaks – and this can often pay dividends. So stop and eat if necessary and don’t let a potential blister derail you.